To anyone who has seen a chiropractor

I've seen three or four of them and overall have found that I get some short-term relief. Some days, a good neck cracking feels great, but it doesn't last.

What works and how well it does will very much depend on your underlying issues. As for safety, I agree that some things -- including neck cracking -- can be dangerous.

The best chiropractor I've ever seen, interestingly, was blind (not fully blind, but "legally," unable to read, drive, etc.).

So I've posted on here a couple of other times that for the 7-8 years preceding my recent ACDF and immediately following many helpful cortisone injections and one final very unhelpful one where I lost the feeling of my right thumb I saw a chiropractor on average 4 times a week for that whole period. Yeah, he had a frequent flyer program, I am not made of money. Anyway, I know exactly what you are talking about, I had that feeling many, many times. That, boy I think I feel better, but I definitely feel very funky sorta hit in the head feeling. I have also gone in in ridiculous, level 7 barely able to speak pain, shouldnt have been driving pain. . .had him crack my neck and put me at a level 9 for about 5 minutes where I couldnt even see (which was ALWAYS EXTREMELY scary). . .I then was back down at a comfy 5 when I walked out with full range of motion. . .those were the times that really had me wondering. Dont worry, my spine has three extremely rare deformities where the bones actually twist in opposite directions right on top of one another, hurts like hell and makes moving difficult and him twistng them apart is what hurt so bad. The feeling you describe had me thinking as well, but I dont get anxious or fearful. . .which is why I am so screwed up, perhaps even because I didnt feel that way at that chiropractor?

That said, here's two things I have not posted: 1) My guy demanded that you take at least biannual x-rays to keep track of your progress or he would not keep you as a patient (and THOSE were expensive) and 2) over that ~8 year period I regained lordosis in my neck and the structure did in fact improve. This was confirmed to somewhat varying extents by all three of the neurosurgeons that I interviewed prior to my surgery. The guy that did the cutting said it was the most impressive result he had seen from chiropractic. . .and it still wasn't going to fix my issues at the time of surgery I'm not saying that to defend my choice or my guy and even given it I am not sure I did the right thing; maybe structure isn't everything. I dunno.

So yeah, I know, at least I hope the above doesn't help you draw too many conclusions. I know for sure I would not have continued if I did not have obvious radiological proof that I was improving in some aspects. But, I do seriously doubt I would have made it for 8 years before fusing over 50% of my neck without those adjustments.. I was really too young to be getting fused when I started seeing him. The doctors that I spoke with said I would need to be paralyzed for them to operate on someone my age, that it would be criminal to do so, and so it was. So, I guess maybe think about your age and your options and what else can be tried. . .maybe just go see another chiro that specializes in your particular problem, injections, maybe check out hypnosis, EMDR, DNRS, or some of the other Jedi mind tricks. I really wish I would have been a little more open to the mental stuff then. I firmly believe pain is all mental, which is not that to say it is easily escaped.. I have been doing some really crazy stuff with my mind lately. Try acupuncture, massage. . .whatever you haven't already and things you just know wont work and come back to him if you must?

Just another note, it is definitely NOT in vogue for chiropractors to be x-raying patients. My guy is nearing retirement and very old school. He also used a series of tables that fall away when he hits you with his hand. I would not let someone hit me with any form of tool period. Nor would anyone jerk me around if they didn't have eyes on the bones. That said, right after my wreck I actually saw a physical therapist that did a very, very gentle joint manipulation without "eyes on the bone,." except my MRI as intepreted by his trusted neurologist. Most people could not even feel that he would rotate and level their individual vertebrae one at a time. Treatments took one to two hours and were very expensive. I felt like a million freaking dollars walking out of that guys office, but it didn't last long enough to get you to the next treatment. I think he was wonderful, but the treatment was hopelessly flawed by the time requirement. The guy I went to see for so long had all of your adjustments in his own shorthand (determined upon each x-ray review or if something was not working for you) on a little card you picked up when you walked in, stretch for ten minutes, adjusted in 2-3 minutes, walk out.

Best of luck and be well. . .and come back and let us know how it goes.

Post Edited (therabidweasel) : 12/5/2014 2:44:48 AM (GMT-7)

I have been to numerous chiro's but none have ever adjusted my neck or back because of disc issues. I think if a person has muscular type problems if they are interested in it, it would be fine. If you are not comfortable with this chiro then perhaps its not for you.

In the beginning it is normal to feel achy afterwards but after a couple of sessions that should stop.

The problem I have with them is they are too expensive. They want people to commit to a program that insurance will not cover because they place a limit on the number of visits they will pay for. They do that for a very good reason too. The chiro's today are using a lot of expensive equipment that is not medically necessary & the consumer gets to pay for it. Chiropractic care is suppose to be about using their hands & very few do anymore. Every person that goes in is told oh, your one leg is longer than the other one, your hips are not in alignment. I read that in every report on our clients, lol. Naturally everything was out of kilter.

It's your choice on what works for you. Take care.

Personally unless you know for sure what is or is not causing your pain and discomfort I would not go to a chiropractor! If for example your problem is caused by herniated disc's a chiropractor could possibly do you serious harm! Unless you know for sure that they are not bad and there isn't any other serious structural defects that is causing your problem, then I might consider going to one. But unless you know for sure, I personally would not risk it! I speak from past experience, as I was manipulated by an osteopath and at the time I was undiagnosed with a massive herniated disc with free floating fragments in my spinal canal at C6/7! He darn near killed me! Even the neurosurgeon said when they finally found out what was wrong, he didn't know why I wasn't a quadriplegic!! and I was more than extremely lucky that that manipulation did end my life! He thought somebody was watching over me!

I know others have had good experiences with chiropractors but especially if your having problems that seem to be originating from the neck/cervical spine, unless I know for sure what the problem is I just would not take the risk! I just think there is to much to lose if things go wrong!

White Beard

I had tailbone pain that got triggered from my daughter sitting in my lap for 2 hours on an airplane. The Chiropractor I went to did really great hip adjustments and hot me out of pain after several sessions. I had generalized achiness after the first 2-3 adjustments as he said I would, and then I was fine. The massage before the adjustment was amazing.

Now to the problem... He did very aggressive neck adjustments and after a while I started hearing my neck crack every time I turned my head. Then one day, I got a headache that lasted 10 days after the adjustment. I decided to go see his brother that works closer to where I live. He happen to be there when I went in and adjusted me again. I felt like he tried to break my neck, the adjustment was so aggressive. In the past I has asked him not to do neck adjustments but when I didn't, I would feel this pressure in my head and would feel like I needed my neck adjusted along with my spine. After this adjustment, I had a headache for 2 weeks and could barely turn my head to the left. Would get referred pain to the top of my head and into my back. I was miserable and my neck hurt constantly.

So here he did a wonderful job with my hips but at the same time created another problem! It took several other chiropractors before my neck felt somewhat better. One suggested icing, and that actually helped a lot and when I finally started getting some relief.

I think chiropractors can be helpful when something is out of wack in your body but you have to make sure you find a good one and one that does gentle neck adjustments.

Hi,

I have not posted in a long time, but saw this question.

Just my two cents after 14 years of chiro care on and off.

I think it is better to have a chiro who comes well recommended by people who have seen them. I think after being adjusted in my neck for 14 years, I have been lucky to never have had a problem. I have since learned that many things can go wrong. Better that they use an activator on this part of the body. No more neck adjustments for me. I do think I had a very good chiro.

Xray need to be done to see what the problem is.

If after a couple of months of visits, you are not being helped by this person, better to move on.

I have mild scoliosis and sacroilliac joint disfunction. I feel as if the chiro helped the scoliosis, but may have ultimately made the sijd worse through thrusting which may have cause this joint to be further hypermobile and ligaments more damaged over time.

I am no longer seeing a chiro at this time and will probably cease altogether.

I am also older now and my bones and ligaments are more vulnerable.

FYI, water therapy and pt have not really helped me all that much either, but everything is worth a try!